The Method of Grace in the Gospel Redemption
by John Flavel
File 37
(... continued from file 36)
Sermon 35.
2 Cor. 4: 3, 4.
But if our gospel he hid, it is hid to them that are lost; in whom
the god of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe
not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the
image of God, should shine unto them.
The words have been opened, and this point observed:-
Doct. That the understandings of all unbelievers are blinded by
Satan's policies, in order to their everlasting perdition.
We have shown already what the blinding the mind, or hiding of
the gospel from it is; it has also been demonstrated that the gospel
is hid, and the minds of many blinded under it; you have also seen
what policies Satan uses to blind the minds of men, even in the
clearest light of the gospel. It remains now that I open to you the
dreadful nature of this judgement of God upon the souls of men, and
then make application of the whole.
There are many judgements of God inflicted upon the souls and
bodies of men in this world; but none of them are so dreadful as
those spiritual judgements are which God inflicts immediately upon
the soul; and among spiritual judgements few or none are of a more
dreadful nature and consequence than this of spiritual blindness;
which will appear by considering,
First, The subject of this judgement, which is the soul, and
the principal power of the soul, which is the mind and
understandings faculty; the soul is the most precious and invaluable
part of man, and the mind is the superior and most noble power of
the soul; it is to the soul what the eye is to the body, the
directive faculty. The bodily eye is a curious, tender, and most
precious part of the body. When we would express the value of a
thing, we say, we prize it as our eyes. The loss of the eyes is a
sore loss, we lose a great part of the comfort of our souls by it.
Yet such an affliction (speaking comparatively) is but a trifle to
this. If our bodily eyes be blinded, we cannot see the sun, but if
our spiritual eye be blinded, we cannot see God, we wander in the
paths of sin, 1 John 2: 11. We are led blindfold to hell by Satan,
as the Syrians were in Samaria, 2 Kings 6: 19, 20. And then our eyes
like theirs will be opened to see our misery when it is too late.
"The light of the body is the eye, (saith Christ). If therefore
thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light; but if
thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If
therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that
darkness?" Mat. 6: 22, 23. By the eye he means the practical
judgement, the understanding faculty, which is the seat for
principles, the common treasury of the rules of practice, according
unto which a man's life is formed, and his way directed. If
therefore that power of the soul be darkened, how great must that
darkness be; for now the blind lead the blind, and both fall into
the ditch. The blind judgement misguides the blind-affections, and
both fall into hell. O what a sad thing is it, that the devil should
lead that that leads thee! That he should sit at the helm, and steer
thy course to damnation! The blinding of this noble faculty
precipitates the soul into the most dangerous course; persecution,
by this means, seems to be true zeal for God, John 16: 2. "They that
persecute you shall think that they do God service. Paul once
thought verily with himself, that he ought to do many "things
contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth," Acts 26: 9. i.e. He
thought he had pleased God, when he was imprisoning and persecuting
his people, as many do at this day; it will make a man to sin
conscientiously, which is a very dangerous way of sinning, and
difficult to be reclaimed.
Secondly, It is a dreadful judgement, if we consider the object
about which the understanding is blinded, which is Jesus Christ, and
union with him; regeneration, and the nature and necessity thereof.
For this blindness is not universal, but respective and particular.
A man may have abundance of light and knowledge in things natural
and moral; but spiritual things are hidden from his eyes. Yea, a man
may know spiritual things in a natural way, which increaseth his
blindness; but he cannot discern them spiritually; this is a sore
judgement, and greatly to be bewailed. "Thou hast hid these things
(said Christ) from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto
babes," Mat. 11: 21. Learned and knowing men are ignorant of those
things, which very babes in Christ understand. They are prudent in
the management of earthly affairs; but to save their own souls they
have no knowledge. They are able, with Berengarius, to dispute de
omni scibili, of every thing investigable by the light of nature;
yea, to open the scripture solidly, and defend the doctrines and
truths of Christ against his adversaries successfully; and yet
blinded in the great mystery of regeneration, Blindness in part,
(saith the apostle) is happened unto Israel? and that indeed was the
principal part of knowledge, viz. the knowledge of Jesus Christ, and
him crucified, we see farther than they. The literal knowledge of
Jesus Christ shines clearly in our understanding. We are only
blinded about those things which should give us saving interest in
him, about the effectual application of Christ to our own souls.
Thirdly, The dreadful nature of this spiritual blindness
farther appears from the consideration of the season in which it
befalls men, which is the very time of God's patience, and the only
opportunity they have for salvation; after these opportunities are
over, their eyes will be opened to see their misery, but alas, too
late. Upon this account, Christ shed those tears over Jerusalem,
Luke 19: 42. "O that thou hadst known, at least in this thy day, the
things that belong to thy peace; but now they are hid from thine
eyes." Now the season of grace is past and gone; opportunities are
the golden spots of time, and there is much time in a short
opportunity, as there are many pieces of silver in one piece of
gold. Time signifies nothing when opportunities are gone, to be
blinded in the very season of salvation, is the judgement of all
judgements, the greatest misery incident to man; to have our eyes
opened when the seasons of salvation are past, is but an aggravation
of misery: there is a twofold opening of men's eyes to see their
danger, viz.
]. Graciously to prevent danger.
2. Judicially to aggravate misery.
They whose eves are not opened graciously in this world, to see
their disease and remedy in Christ, shall have their eyes opened
judicially in the world to come, to see their disease without any
remedy. If God open them now, it is by way of prevention; if they be
not opened till then, it will produce desperation.
Fourthly, The horrible nature of this judgement farther appears
from the exceeding difficulty of curing it, especially in men of
excellent natural endowments and accomplishments, John 9: 40, 41.
"And some of the Pharisees which were with him, heard these words,
and said unto him, Are we blind also? Jesus said unto them, If ye
were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see: therefore
your sin remaineth," q. d. the pride and conceitedness of your heart
and obstinacy and incurableness to your blindness; these are "the
blind people that have eyes;" Isa. 63: 8. In seeing they see not.
The conviction of such men is next to an impossibility.
Fifthly, The design and end of this blindness under the gospel
is most dreadful; so saith my text, "The god of this world has
blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the
glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine
unto them." Answerable whereunto are those words, Isa. 6: 10. "Make
the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut
their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears,
and understand with their hearts, and convert, and be healed. So
that it is plain, this blinding is a praeludium to damnation, as the
covering of Haman's face was to his destruction. When the Lord has
no purpose of grace and mercy to a man's soul, then, to bring about
the damnation of that man by a righteous permission, many occasions
of blindness befal him, which Satan improves effectually unto his
eternal ruin; among which fatal occasions, blind guides and
scandalous professors are none of the least; they shall be fitted
with ministers suitably to their humours, which shall speak smooth
things: If a man walk in the spirit and falsehood, (i. e. by an "en
dia duoin", - the spirit of falsehood) do lie, sayings I will
prophesy to thee of wine and strong drink, he shall even be the
prophet of this people: and the slips and falls of professors shall
do the devil not a little service in this his fatal design; Mat. 18:
7. "Wo to the world because of offences." This shall blind them, and
harden them to purpose. Thus you see what a dreadful judgement this
is, a stroke of God upon the soul, which cuts off all the present
comforts of Christ and religion from it, takes away the bridle of
restrains from sin, and makes way for the final ruin of the soul. A
far greater judgement it is than the greatest calamity or affliction
which can befal us in this world. If our names suffer by the
greatest reproaches, our bodies by the most painful diseases, our
estates by the greatest losses; if God strike every comfort we have
in this world dead by affliction; all this is nothing, compared with
this blinding judgement of God upon the soul; for they may come from
the tender love of God to us, Heb. 12: 6. but this is the effect of
his wrath; they may cleanse sin, Isa. 28: 9. but this increases it;
they often prove occasions of conversion, Job 36: 8, 9. but this is
the great obstruction to it. In a word, they only wound the flesh,
and that with a curable wound; but this stabs the soul, and that
with a mortal wound.
First use, of information.
Inference 1. If this be the case of the unbelieving world, to
be so blinded by the god of this world; How little should we value
the censures and slanders of the blind world! Certainly they should
move no other affection but pity in our soul: if their eyes were
opened, their mouths would be shut; they would never traduce
religion, and the sincere profession of it as they do, if Satan had
not blinded their minds: they speak evil of the things they know
not; their reproaches, which they let fly so freely, are but so many
arrows shot by the blind man's bow, which only stick in our clothes,
and can do us no hurt, except we thrust them onward by our own
discontent to the wounding of our spirits. "I could almost be proud
upon it, said Luther, that I have got an ill name among the worst of
men." Beware, Christians that you give them no occasion to blaspheme
the name of your God, and then never trouble yourselves, however
they use your names. If they tread it in the dirt now, God (as one
speaks) will take it up, wash off all the dirt, and deliver it to
you again clear and shining. Should such men speak well of us, we
might justly suspect ourselves of some iniquity which administers to
them the occasions of it.
Inf. 2. How absurd and dangerous must it be for Christians to
follow the examples of the blind world? Let the blind follow the
blind, but let not those whom God has enlightened do so. Christians,
never let those lead you, who are led blindfold by the devil
themselves. The holiness and heavenliness of Christians was wont to
set the world a wondering that they would not run with them into the
same excess of riot, 1 Pet. 4: 4. But sure, since God has opened
your eyes, and showed you the dangerous courses they walk in, it
would be the greatest wonder of all, if you should be the companions
of such men, and tread in the steps of their examples. Christian, as
humble and lowly thoughts as thou hast of thyself, yet I would have
thee understand thyself to be too good to be the associate of such
men. Discamus sanctam superbiam, et sciamus nos esse illis meliores.
If they will walk with you in the way of duty and holiness, let them
come and welcome; receive them with both arms, and be glad of their
company; but beware you walk not in their paths, lest they be a
snare unto you. Did they see the end of their way, they would never
walk in it themselves; why then will you walk with them who do see
it?
Inf. 3. If this be so, Let Christians be exact and circumspect
in their walking, lest they lay a stumblingblock before the blind.
It is a great sin to do so in a proper sense, Lev. 19: 14. "Thou
shalt not put a stumbling-block before the blind." And a far greater
to do it in a metaphorical sense, Rom. 14: 18. It is the express
will of God, "that no man put a stumbling block, or an occasion to
fall in his brother's way." It is an argument of little regard to
the honour of Christ, or the souls of men, so to do. O professors,
look to your steps; the devil desires to make use of you for such
purposes. The sins of thousands of others, who make no profession of
godliness, will never so fit his purpose for the blinding of those
men's eyes, as the least slip or failing of yours will do. It is the
living bird that makes the best stale to draw others into the net:
the grossest wickedness of profane sinners passeth away in silence,
but all the neighbourhood shall ring with your miscarriages. "A
righteous man falling, down before the wicked, is as a troubled
fountain and a corrupt spring," Prov. 25: 26. The scandalous falls
of good men are like a bag of poison cast by Satan into the spring
from whence the whole town is supplied with water. You little know
what mischief you do, and how many blind sinners may fall into hell
by your occasion.
Inf. 4. How dangerous a thing is zeal in a wicked man? It is
like a sharp sword in a blind man's hand, or like a high mettle in a
blind horse. How much has the church of God suffered upon this
account, and does suffer at this day: The world has ever been full
of such blind and blustering zeal, which, like a hurricane,
overturns all that stands in its way: yea, as we noted before, it
makes a man a kind of conscientious persecutor. I confess it is
better for the persecutor himself to do it ignorantly, because
ignorance leaves him in a capacity for mercy, and sets him a degree
lower than the malicious, enlightened persecutor, 1 Tim. 1: 13. else
it were the dreadful case described in Heb. 10. But yet, as it is,
John 16: 2 these are the fierce and dreadful enemies of the church
of God. Such a man was Paul, a devout persecutor, and such
persecution God afterward suffered to befal himself, Acts 13: 50.
"But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the
chief men of that city; and raised persecution against Paul and
Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts." An erroneous
conscience binds, as well as an informed conscience, and wherever
God gives such men opportunity to vent the spleen and rage of their
hearts upon his people, they will be sure to do it to purpose. With
other men Gamaliel's counsel may have some influence, and they may
be afraid lest they be found fighters against God; but blind zeal
spurs on, and saith, as Jehu did, "Come, see my zeal for the Lord of
Hosts." O blind sinners, be sure of your mark before you discharge
your arrows. If you shoot at a wicked man, as you suppose him, and
God finds one of his dear children wounded or destroyed, what
account will you give of that fact to God when you shall come before
his judgement-seat?
Second use, of exportation?.
This point is very improveable by way of exhortation. Both,
1. Unto those who are blinded by the god of this world.
2. To those that are enlightened in the knowledge of Christ, by
the true God.
First, To those who are still blinded by the god of this world,
to whom the Lord has not given unto this day eyes to see their
misery in themselves, or their remedy in Christ, so as to make an
effectual application of him to their own souls. To all such my
counsel is,
1. To get a sense of your own blindness.
2. To seek out for a cure, whilst yet it may be had.
First, Labour to get a deep sense of the misery of such a
condition; for till you be awakened by conviction, you can never be
healed. O that you did but know the true difference betwixt common
and saving light; the want of this keeps you in darkness: You think
because you know the same things that the most unsanctified men
does, that therefore there is no difference betwixt his knowledge
and yours; and are therefore ready to say to them, as Job to his
friends, "Lo, mine eye has seen all this, mine ear has heard and
understood it: what ye know, the same do I know also; I am not
inferior unto you," Job 13: 1, 2. But O that you would be convinced
that your knowledge vastly differs from the knowledge of believers.
Though you know the same things that they do, it is a knowledge of
another kind and nature. You know spiritual things in another way,
merely by the light of reason, assisted and improved by the common
light of the gospel; they know the same things by spiritual
illumination, and in an experimental way. 1 John 2: 20. "Ye have an
unction from the holy One, and ye know all things." Their knowledge
is practical, yours is idle. They are working out their salvation,
by that light which God has given them, Psal. 111: 10. Their
knowledge of God and Christ produces the fruits of faith, obedience,
and mortification, and heavenly-mindedness in them: it has no such
fruits in you; whatever light there be in your understandings, it
makes no alteration at all upon your hearts. The light brings them
to heaven, John 17: 3. Yours shall be blown out by death, 1 Cor. 13:
8. and yourselves left in the mists of eternal darkness, except your
eyes be opened seasonably by the anointing of the Holy Ghost.
Conviction is a great part of your cure.
Secondly, Labour to act a remedy for this dangerous disease of
your minds: "Awake to righteousness, and sin not, for some have not
the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame," 1 Cor. 15: 34.
These things speak encouragement to you, though it be a sore
judgement that lies upon you, and very difficult to be removed: yet
remember Jesus Christ is commissioned by God the Father to open the
blind eyes, Isa. 13: 6, 7. and this excellent physician be speaks
you for his patients, Rev. 3: 18. "Anoint thine eyes, (saith he)
with eye-salve that thou mayest see. Yea, the most enlightened
Christians were once as dark and blind in spiritual things as you
are, and Christ has cured them, Eph. 5: 8. "Once were you darkness,
now are ye light in the Lord." Attend therefore upon the ordinances
of the gospel diligently; that is God's enlightening instrument by
which he couches those cataracts which blind the eyes of men's
understandings, Acts 26: 28. And if ever you will have your eyes
opened, allow yourselves time to ponder and consider what you hear.
The duty of meditation is a very enlightening duty: above all, cry
to the Lord Jesus Christ, as that poor man did, "Lord, that mine
eyes may be opened, that I may receive my sight. Say, Lord, this is
my disease and danger, that in seeing I see not. Others see natural
things in a Spiritual way, whilst I see spiritual things only in a
natural way. Their light is operative upon their hearts, mine is but
an idle impractical notion of religion, which brings forth no fruit
of holiness. Their knowledge sets their hands a work in duties of
obedience; mine only sets my tongue a work in discourses of those
things which my heart never felt. Lord, open mine eyes, and make me
to see out of this obscurity: All the light that is in me is but
darkness. O Lord, enlighten my darkness, enlighten mine eyes, lest I
sleep the sleep of death.
Secondly, Let it be a word of counsel and exhortation to such
as once were blind, but do now see.
First, I beseech you, bless God for the least degree of
spiritual illumination. "Truly light is sweet, and it is a pleasant
thing for the eyes to behold the sun," Eccles. 11: 7. But O how
sweet is spiritual light! and what a pleasant thing to behold the
Sun of righteousness! Blessed are your eyes, for they see God has
brought you out of darkness into marvellous light. And marvellous
indeed it must needs be, when you consider how many wise and prudent
men are under the power of spiritual darkness, whilst such babes as
you are enlightened, Mat. 11: 21;. It greatly affected the heart of
Christ; O let it affect yours also.
Secondly, Labour to get a clearer sight of spiritual things
every day. For all spiritual light is increasing light, "which
shines more and more unto the perfect day, Prov. 4: 18. O! if a
little spiritual light be so comfortable, what would more be? The
wisdom of God is a manifold wisdom, Eph. 3: 10. The best of us see
but little of it. Labour therefore to know spiritual things more
extensively, and more experimentally, Phil. 2: 8, 9. Be still
increasing in the knowledge of God.
Thirdly, Walk as men whose eyes are opened. "Once ye were in
darkness, now are ye light in the Lord; walk as children of the
light," Eph. 5: 8. else your light will but aggravate your sin.
Remember how it displeased God, that Solomon's heart was turned from
the Lord God of Israel who appeared to him twice, 1 Kings 11: 9.
Remember how angry God was with the Heathens for abusing the dim
common light of nature, Rom. 1: 21. How much more evil is it in you
to abuse the most precious light that shineth in this world? and
what mischievous effects the abuse of your light will have upon this
blind world? It was a smart rebuke given once by an Atheist to a
good man, who being asked by him how he could satisfy his conscience
to live as he did? Nay rather, said the Atheist, I wonder how you
can satisfy yourself to live as you do; for did I believe as you do,
that there is such a Christ, and such a glory as you believe there
are, I would pray and live at another rate than you do.
The Method of Grace in the Gospel Redemption
(continued in file 38...)
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